Orcas Island Event - Westward Ho Beach to Grindstone Harbor Elwha Rock and Return - L2

When
September 20, 2026
9:30 AM
Location
Westward Ho Beach
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name:: Brad Sheehan
Narrative:: Departing from Four Winds Beach, proceed East and clockwise around Victim Island,
then South along the East shore of Double Island.
Turn East-SE for 0.6 nm open crossing to Oak Island, then South along the East shoreline of West Sound.
Continue East along shoreline, being aware of ferry traffic at the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal and Bay Head Marina then South to Cotton Point Island.

From Cotton Point Island, follow the South shore of Orcas Island East and around the double beach peninsula and continue 1.0 nm to Grindstone Harbor against a 0.4 kn Ebbing current.
At the entrance to Grindstone Harbor turn North and follow the West side of the Harbor, looking for the infamous Elwha Rock in the middle of the harbor.
We’ll be looking for a lunch spot in the harbor, or at the double beach peninsula.

Starting the return, turn West out of Grindstone Harbor and follow the shoreline West back to the double beach peninsula with a 0.2 nm Flooding current, Dropping to Slack around Cotton Point Island and carefully passing the Marina and Orcas Island Ferry Terminal.
Once past the Ferry Terminal follow the shore line Northwest back up to Oak Island.
Paddle West from Oak Island on the 0.6 nm open crossing to Double Island,
then North to Victim Island to return to Four Winds Camp Beach.

Meeting Time:: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time:: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Four Winds Camp Beach
Take out:: Same
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Circumnavigate West Sound
Required equipment:: Towline
Minimum Immersion protection:: Drysuit
Primary Organizer:: Brad Sheehan
Co-Organizer(s):: TBA
Has organizer paddled here before?: No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:: Laura Sheehan
Maximum number of paddlers:: 6 including the TO
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 60 F
Estimated Water Temperature:: 60 F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 5 hours
Tide times & heights:: Orcas Tides
Friday September 18 Saturday September 19 Sunday September 20
Start earlier ?
(Feet) 4:30 am 0.4 Low 5:32 am 0.6 Low 6:41 am 0.8 Low
1:37 pm 6.8 High 2:40 pm 7.0 High 3.26 pm 7.1 High
7:11 pm 6.0 Low 9:07 pm 5.7 Low 9:39 pm 5.5 Low

Current information:: Friday Saturday Sunday
Harney Max E -0.4 kn 1:09 pm Max E -0.4 kn 4:11 pm Max E -0.5 kn 5:52 pm
Channel
(Cayou) Slack 1:09 pm Slack 2:15 pm Slack 6:17 am 2:42 pm
Ebbs East

Floods Max F 0.6 kn 11:24 am Max F 0.9 kn 10:18 am Max F 0.9 kn 11:13 am
West 0.8 kn 11:05 am 0.8 kn 12:16 pm
0.7 kn 12 Noon 0.6 kn 1:12 pm
0.4 kn 1:03 pm 0.4 kn 1:53 pm
0.2 kn 2:26 pm

Hazards:: Shipping traffic
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents:: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance:: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing:: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments:: Sunday launch time may need to be adjusted for favorable currents
Location:: Four Winds Camp, West Sound, Orcas Island
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Orcas station near Ferry Terminal
Link to map of route (Optional):

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon